PdAu Nanosheets for Visible-Light-Driven Suzuki Cross-Coupling Reactions

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Catalysis

Background:

• Two-dimensional (2D) nanostructures combined with plasmonic photocatalysis offer efficient pathways for light-driven organic transformations.
• Developing novel catalytic materials with enhanced activity and stability is crucial for sustainable chemistry.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a one-pot synthesis of surfactant-templated 2D palladium-gold (PdAu) nanosheets (NSs).
• To investigate the application of these PdAu NSs in visible-light-enhanced Suzuki cross-coupling reactions.
• To elucidate the factors contributing to the enhanced catalytic performance.

Main Methods:

• One-pot synthesis of PdAu nanosheets using surfactant templating.
• Characterization using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS).
• Evaluation of catalytic activity in room-temperature Suzuki cross-coupling reactions under visible light.

Main Results:

• Successful synthesis of 2D PdAu nanosheets templated by alkyl ammonium salt surfactant.
• PdAu NSs exhibited significantly higher catalytic activity than monometallic Pd NSs and commercial Pd/C in Suzuki coupling.
• Surfactant-assisted PdAu NSs showed superior performance over CO-assisted NSs, highlighting the role of surface ligands.

Conclusions:

• 2D morphology and plasmonic properties of PdAu NSs enhance catalytic activity through plasmon-enhanced catalysis and high surface atom density.
• Alloying effects create an electron-rich Pd surface, further boosting catalytic performance.
• Surface ligands, particularly those from surfactants, play a critical role in optimizing catalytic and photocatalytic enhancement.